With all areas of construction, whether residential, commercial or industrial, many tests and checks have to be carried out to ensure that the completed buildings are safe for use. This can range from gas supply leak checks and the testing of electricity supplies, to the certification of properly fitted doors and windows.

However, one important element that has to be thoroughly checked is the pipework and water systems. Water is a destructive natural force and damage from any water escape can cost thousands of pounds.

Installing a new water system into a property is not just about providing running water from a tap and the ability to flush a toilet; there are various aspects to consider including:-

Minimising the sound of water flow, either when running through pipes or from the tank.

The material of the fitted pipes should be appropriate for the temperatures of the flowing water and local standards.

Pipework needs to be compatible with and properly connected to heating or cooling systems.

Line pressure of the water flow in and out of the system is correct, thereby avoiding contamination, backflow, leaks and burst pipes.

A water system is a continuous cycle and the pressure applied is what forces the water around that system. The flow of the water has to be varied for different uses; you would not want the water from a kitchen tap to gush at the same rate as it would to flush a toilet. Too little pressure would result in a trickle from your tap, not ideal when filling a bathtub.

Therefore, the system has to be set up correctly with the appropriate rate of pressure being applied where necessary. You need to consider where the water is flowing to, for example if it is being sent up a twenty storey office block; a higher amount of pressure would be needed via a booster pump compared to sending it to the upstairs bathroom in a house.

One common danger is when the pressure that is applied is too much and the force of the water causes a burst pipe. Incorrect pressure can also cause trapped air pockets, increasing the pressure on the valves and seals. In most systems, water pumps and pressure valves are used to control the water flow but it is vital to test the property after installation, to ensure the level of pressure is correct and instigating a system of regular monitoring and maintenance to avoid water leaks.

Many websites attempt to advise on how to check the pressure of your water system – filling with water using gravity, taking measurements and making calculations – but do you really have the time and skill to do this and be confident that you pipe-line installations are correctly installed with zero leaks?

A cost effective way to have the entire pipe system checked (both supply and drainage lines), is ensuring pipe integrity via the use of higher pressure testing up to full design pressure instead of that of just gravity. Also checking that water flow is safe and correct through the use of water detection equipment. An NDT non-invasive, innovative, affordable technology-based service that can swiftly test all your pipework and provide you with a seal of approval that the property is safe and good to go prior to hand over!

For information on how we can help if you suspect a leak, consult LeakDTech’s professionals now!

One of our most popular sought after pastime activities, either alone or with company, is that of the Health Spa. Life in today’s world is far more stressful and hectic than ever before and when we get that bit of downtime most of us think about swimming pools, massages and saunas……..that pamper day which makes us feel alive again, making the most of that day off!

The Health Spa has therefore become a global phenomenon, present in all towns and cities however; water issues can cause problems for spas, affecting the quality of the services they offer.

Water is a crucial requirement for a Health Spa; without it there is no swimming pool, sauna or Jacuzzi, nor the tranquil environment of water features, fountains and beauty therapies. Therefore, in order to offer the best possible service, this major business resource needs to be properly looked after and a high quality approach needs to be taken to the maintenance of the Spa and its facilities.

With the amount of amenities that many Spas offer, there is the potential for largescale water issues, particularly in the following situations:

3. Fountains and water features can be eye catching but not pleasant if they leak, not only wasting water but causing a potential slipping hazard in foyers and walkways.

4. Ablution rooms are a cultural norm and their use is an important ritual in the Muslim religion, so damp, stale smelling surroundings would be off-putting.

Any water leak will cause problems whether it is present for a few days or a few months; the result will be the cost of the rectification. If a leak can be swiftly detected and remedied the cost will be minimal but if the problem has been occurring for many months or years, the remedy cost could be extensive. Leaking water equals wasted water leading to higher water bills with the ultimate result of reducing profits.

As well as the cost, long standing water leaks and damp can cause damage to the structure of the building as well as to the aesthetics. Damp results not only in stale smells which are unpleasant for all and which are difficult to remove, even with air purification and aromatic devices, but also the potential for mould, a serious health concern for staff if exposure is long term.

Given that water is so important to the success of a Health Spa, owners should be considering how they can cost-effectively monitor the spa’s water system, removing all problems swiftly and efficiently. By using new innovative equipment featuring infrared and thermal imaging technology, leaking water can be identified quickly and its exact location pinpointed. In addition, a sensory system can be installed into the water system to allow for constant monitoring and being alerted to any areas of damp or accumulated water.

A small investment now can save huge rectification costs later and with the ability to have proactive yearly inspections, together with the installation of a sensor system, you can be confident that your water facility is in safe hands and you can concentrate on keeping those customers happy and relaxed.

For information on how we can help if you suspect a leak, consult LeakDTech’s professionals now!

Roofing leaks are commonly experienced with any building structure, whether it is a small residential roof, the top of a skyscraper, or the roof of a large shopping mall. Detecting a leak is difficult enough, but locating it, when the hole could be the size of a pin can be a time-consuming task. Where do you even start to look with roof leak testing if you know you have leaking water?

Generally, roofs in Dubai and the UAE are a very low sloping roof or are flat in nature and usually takes one of two forms; the most common is known as a ‘gravel and tar’ covering used on flat roofs; and others are membrane based, which are effectively a rubber covering which creates a sealed membrane, used on low sloping roofs.

With the ‘gravel and tar’ type roof, two or more layers of bitumen are laid, overlapping each other. Bitumen asphalt is a type of tar and comes in solid sheets (the same liquid material used on road surfaces). As the sheets are laid they are fire sealed, effectively melting them together to create a barrier. Once cooled, the area is then commonly covered in gravel or screed surface, the idea being that these two sealed layers prevent water leaking through but are also aesthetically pleasing. However, due to the nature of bitumen, these roof coverings can become damaged easily during periods of maintenance; for example, during the fitting of pipework or extra air conditioning units, workmen needing access to the roof, both on foot and with equipment. As a result, the sheets can crack and bend, resulting in areas where water can leak through.

The other most common choice of roofing are membranes, otherwise known as either EPDM, Hypalon, PVC or TPO, the idea being to create a sealed roofing cover to prevent the water leaking through. The membrane is created by using layers of material which is laid like a carpet and sealed to a type of backing material or by way of a hot air iron. This then provides a membrane casing for the roof.

When either of these two forms of roofing are applied, they have to be tested for leaks. The classic historical form of testing for roof leaks is the gravity test. In essence, an area on the roof is sectioned off and filled with water. It is then left for a few days and the inside of the building is monitored to identify any water leaking through. However, over time it has become apparent that this type of testing is not wholly conclusive or satisfactory.

The more modern form of leak testing is to use new innovative technology that scans the roofing area to locate leaks. By using ultra-violet rays and infrared technology, the smallest of pin-hole leaks can be identified in a roofing structure allowing a swift repair to take place; no need to wait days to see if water seeps through and no invasive equipment, just a simple scan. With the extensive costs that can be involved with rectifying damage to buildings caused by leaking roofs, companies need to move with the times.

Malls, Schools, Hospitals, Hotels or any large building now need to take advantage of this cost-effective technology, using a preventative approach to maintaining their roofs rather than a reactive measure. A scan of a newly fitted roof or a periodical scan of an existing roof can give you piece of mind that water is not quietly drowning your business.

For information on how we can help if you suspect a leak, consult LeakDTech’s professionals now!

It is well known that throughout Dubai, many construction companies save costs by setting up staff camps for use by their employees. This benefits the employer by providing low cost, local accommodation that is convenient for working life.

However, some staffing camps can house more than 1,000 workers and as such the Maintenance Team will be looking for areas where costs can be saved and expenses reduced. Bills will mainly include electricity and water and if any of these utilities are not properly maintained, hundreds of thousands of Dirhams can be wasted each year.

With multiple blocks providing hundreds of rooms, canteen/kitchen facilities, toilet, shower and washing facilities, the potential for a water leak occurring is high. The problem however, with a site that size is where do you start? With such a large area to monitor, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to be aware that you have a water leak, let alone identify its location.

With the camp facilities in constant use, given that many will be shift workers, the water supply will be continuously used day and night. Management need to confidently maintain the water system as a whole and know that all the facilities are working as they should be; poorly flushing toilets, leaking taps or low pressure showers are not hygienic or appealing when returning home from a long shift.

So the question is how can you manage the site, identify issues and rectify them swiftly. Whilst a burst pipe can cause immediate costly damage, a leaking pipe that is in a wall or ceiling cavity going unnoticed for months or years could cause a wide spread amount of damage, not only to the aesthetics of the building but the internal structure, with the remedial costs being extensive.

A regular low-cost system of monitoring and inspection would assist the staff camp’s management in keeping costs under control. With new advanced state-of-the-art technology, a two-staged approach could be set up:-

Phase 1 – (Annual Inspections & Monitoring) would be to commence an overall level of monitoring. The equipment uses sensors to quickly identify leakage and easily offer information on the exact location of leaks even over large areas. Along with technology-based investigations looking for indications of damp or wet patches.

Phase 2 – (In-Depth Inspections) would be a staggered, more in depth inspection which would concentrate on scanning key areas such as roof, chilled water lines, kitchens, water & drainage pipes, shower cubicles and toilet facilities. Scanning/Inspecting the building’s structures periodically would allow a problem area to be identified.

The two phased approach not only indicates if a problem is detected, but the sensors can specifically identify the location of the leak to allow a swift, low-cost repair to be carried out.

The potential benefits of this approach for operators of a typically sized staffing unit, annual savings could be as much as 500,000 AED or more in water-related operational costs alone when a full review and prevention schedule has been instigated.

Staff camps are designed to assist both employer and employee by providing affordable, clean, safe living accommodation enabling key staff to live close to their working environment. What you do not want is mouldy, stale smelling, damp rooms, creating huge financial concerns and causing unhappiness and sickness throughout the working community.

For information on how we can help if you suspect a leak, consult LeakDTech’s professionals now!

When it comes to the safety of buildings and their ongoing maintenance, sometimes it just feels like an endless list of worries, especially for the bigger property owners with their hotels, malls and office blocks. Where is the time to sit and research all of the problems that you might experience when some of them you have never heard of or have no way of identifying?

So one to add to the list is…..yes you guessed it…..Interstitial Condensation…..not just good old fashioned condensation.

So why is the ‘interstitial’ bit important? Okay, we all know and understand normal condensation……you have a steamy situation combined with a cold front and the windows in your building may become moist with water which we all know and term as condensation. It can easily be cleaned away.

However, the problem with interstitial condensation (interstitial meaning forming or occupying), is it cannot be seen. It occurs when warm moist air penetrates inside a wall floor or ceiling structure and when it reaches its ‘dew point’ (the temperature when vapour becomes water), it turns into liquid and pools, soaking into and rotting timbers and other materials. As it is not visible and not cleaned away, overtime the condensation simply lingers (occupies) which can result in mould as well as long term structural damage.

With large buildings such as hotels, there is every chance that interstitial condensation is happening somewhere inside, the question is where. Any hotel owner for example, certainly does not want damp and mould issues causing maintenance expenses, as well as the associated health risks to the their visitors. A few bad reports of guests smelling damp or becoming ill from mould-spore based infections, is not good for business.

So what can be done to help detect and remedy this potential problem, which is hidden from the naked eye? Reassuringly, new innovative technology has been created to assist with all types of water and leak problems within building structures. As well as sensors that can be fitted to an internal water system to alarm you to the presence of water leaks, as well as newer technologies, an infrared system or similar alternatives can now be used to scan walls, ceilings and floors and identify damp patches indicating the potential presence of internal condensation.

Once the internal location has been identified, further technology such as smoke or ultrasonics can be used to locate the external leak. This allows the opportunity to carry out a small area of maintenance to rectify the issue before it becomes a large scale problem.

A key warning to look out for is damp paint work, peeling walls or a musty smell. If you identify one of these problems or you simply want some piece of mind, arrange to have your building scanned providing you with the knowledge that you are not infected with……oh what’s that word again….Interstitial condensation!

For information on how we can help if you suspect a leak, consult LeakDTech’s professionals now!

When we envisage water leaks the images that spring to mind are burst pipes, leaking taps, and holes in roofs. Maintenance programmes are designed for large buildings, particularly hotels, to try and ensure that all areas are regularly inspected, maintained and repaired.

However, with our hotels becoming more and more glamorous given the fierce level of competition in today’s tourist industry, the fight is on to try and become the most eye catching, awe-inspiring place to stay, particularly in the favourites such as America, Paris, Australia and the hotter climates such as Dubai. What we are seeing more of, to a lavish extent, is the designs of hotel atriums and reception halls. The entranceways to some of the larger hotels can actually take your breath away as you enter them. They can be huge, many of which are made of glass in all types of colours and fashions with beautiful sofas, reception halls, meeting areas, cafes and bars and, let’s not forget, the greenery. Some atriums can make you feel like you’re walking through a rain forest with plants and small trees all around, creating an atmosphere of relaxation.

Hotel atriums can be low, just covering the ground floor, or can be as high as the hotel itself, a glass corridor leading up to the sky, a window to the stars.

So, back down to earth, the leading question here…… what are the implications for creating such beauty? What do you do if you find you have wet floors meaning the atrium is leaking? Somewhere in that huge, complex elevated structure made of beautiful glass panes, you have a leak. Not a pipe that just needs a new valve or some sealant that needs to be replaced; you’re looking at a puzzle of huge interlinked panes of glass. The maintenance man cannot simply just walk up to the top floor and identify the culprit. The more realistic likelihood would be towers of scaffolding erected throughout your reception area in order to allow for a thorough investigation of the roof.

So what are you left with……. leaking water onto a beautifully smooth marble floor equalling slipping hazards for guests; having to section off areas of your beautiful indoor rainforest to allow for works reducing social space; the noise and disruption associated with workmen using tools and machinery all around you, putting a dampener on that tasty gin and tonic and, in essence, ruining that tranquil atmosphere and creating an ugly, unsafe, unwelcoming environment for new and existing visitors.

The answer to avoid all of that…… have the roof immediately scanned by experts utilising new innovative technology that uses either smoke, ultrasonics or smoke from the ground to scan the atrium and pinpoint that leak. This provides the opportunity, on a small scale basis, to reach the specific area of the atrium for repair. Get your atrium scanned now. Don’t let your panes become a pain!

For information on how we can help if you suspect a leak, consult LeakDTech’s professionals now!

LeakDtech

LeakDtech Dubai are a group of engineers who have found that both private and commercial property owners, or tenants alike, are not having their properties built, or maintained, to high enough standards, causing our customers to suffer with constant water leaks, high bills or rectifying bad workmanship – the three main reasons why people contact us.